US6755834B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cranial flap fixation device
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2001-09-17
•
Granted: 2004-06-29
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Expires: 2021-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A cranial flap fixation device utilizing a piece design comprising an inner member and an outer member. The inner member includes a head and a shaft and the outer member comprises a nut for securing onto the shaft. A driving tool may be engaged with the inner member for secure engagement with the outer member. The present invention is also a cranial flap fixation system comprising three pieces, a nut, a bolt and a lock washer. The bolt having a threaded portion head for receipt into the nut and lock washer assembly, and the bolt also having an extra wide head portion for secure engagement inside the patient's cranium. The bolt is designed for use with a variety of bone structures since it is designed having an adjustable length so that the surgeon can cut the bolt after tightening onto the nut and lock washer assembly. A driving tool may be utilized to secure the cranial flap fixation system.
Inventors
- 👤 James Peter Amis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/688; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotational axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the resorbable inner member further comprising a head and a threaded shaft extending proximally from the head, the head having a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the threaded shaft and a smooth, bone-contacting surface surrounding the threaded shaft, the surface being substantially free of protrusions extending therefrom; a resorbable outer member having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the threaded shaft, the resorbable outer member further including a threaded aperture for accommodating the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and a smooth, bone-contacting surface surrounding the threaded aperture, the surface being substantially free of protrusions extending therefrom, the resorbable outer member comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in a pattern on the resorbable outer member; and a driving tool constructed to be attached to the resorbable outer member, the driving tool comprising a plurality of protrusions which are disposed on the driving tool in a pattern to facilitate a connection of the plurality of protrusions of the driving tool into the plurality of apertures of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotational axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the resorbable inner member further comprising a head and a threaded shaft extending proximally from the head, the head having a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the threaded shaft and a smooth, bone-contacting surface surrounding the threaded shaft, the surface being substantially free of protrusions extending therefrom; a resorbable outer member having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the threaded shaft, the resorbable outer member further including a threaded aperture for accommodating the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and a smooth, bone-contacting surface surrounding the threaded aperture, the surface being substantially free of protrusions extending therefrom, the resorbable outer member comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in a pattern on the resorbable outer member; and a driving tool constructed to be attached to the resorbable outer member, the driving tool comprising a plurality of protrusions which are disposed on the driving tool in a pattern to facilitate a connection of the plurality of protrusions of the driving tool into the plurality of apertures of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the resorbable inner member that surrounds the threaded shaft is substantially planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the threaded shaft is threaded on a distal portion substantially adjacent the head of the resorbable inner member, and includes an extended portion proximally disposed relative to the head and having a substantially smooth surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the resorbable outer member includes a first member and a second member, the first member being structured to provide compressive forces on the second member as the resorbable outer member is tightened against a skull of a patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the first member includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a shoulder extending from the top portion, the shoulder being configured to engage with a surface of the second member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the second member includes a beveled top surface configured to engage with the shoulder of the first member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the second member includes a collar portion dimensioned to accommodate a bottom portion of the first member and to be placed within a burr hole in a bone of a patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the first member of the resorbable outer member is a nut and the second member of the resorbable outer member is a lock washer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the driving tool includes an aperture sized and positioned to accommodate the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the driving tool includes a body surrounding a central aperture dimensioned to receive the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member, the body having a bottom surface from which the protrusions extend, the bottom surface including a recess extending into the body, the recess being shaped to receive the resorbable outer member such that at least a portion of the resorbable outer member extends into the body of the driving tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter, and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head and a length wherein a portion of the length is devoid of threads and a portion of the length includes threads; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, and including a threaded aperture sized to accommodate the threaded portion of the shaft of the resorbable inner member and to permit the portion of the shaft devoid of threads to extend from the resorbable outer member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter, and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head and a length wherein a portion of the length is devoid of threads and a portion of the length includes threads; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, and including a threaded aperture sized to accommodate the threaded portion of the shaft of the resorbable inner member and to permit the portion of the shaft devoid of threads to extend from the resorbable outer member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the portion of the length of the shaft that is devoid of threads includes a smooth surface structured to be gripped by a person's hand.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the resorbable outer member includes a plurality of apertures disposed around the threaded aperture, the plurality of apertures being operative to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member about the shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising a driving tool having a protrusion extending from a surface, the protrusion structured to engage with at least one of the plurality of apertures to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the driving tool is disposable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the driving tool is prepackaged with one resorbable outer member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the driving tool and the resorbable outer member are prepackaged together in an assembled state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the resorbable outer member comprises a first member and a second member, the first member including a portion surrounded by the second member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the first member includes a body having a smooth outer surface and the threaded aperture of the resorbable outer member extending through the body, and the second member includes a body having an aperture with a smooth inner surface, the aperture of the second member sized to accommodate a portion of to body of the first member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein at least one of the resorbable inner member and the resorbable outer member include at least one cell-permeable hole for facilitating bone growth.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 , wherein at least one of the resorbable inner member and the resorbable outer member comprise a copolymer of poly (L,DL) lactate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
114 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a threaded shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less tan the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including a first member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a threaded aperture extending from the upper portion to the lower portion and sized to accommodate the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member, and a second member dimensioned to accommodate the lower portion of the first member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
114 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a threaded shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less tan the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including a first member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a threaded aperture extending from the upper portion to the lower portion and sized to accommodate the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member, and a second member dimensioned to accommodate the lower portion of the first member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the threaded shaft includes an extended portion substantially devoid of threads.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the first member includes a shoulder extending from the lower portion to the upper portion, the shoulder being located to contact a surface of the second member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the driving tool includes a protrusion operative to be inserted into an aperture provided in the first member of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the second member includes an aperture to receive the lower portion of the first member of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member is manufactured of a material that can be cut by a high-temperature wire of a cutting tool, and the resorbable outer member is manufactured of a material that retbreads the threaded shaft after the shaft has been cut.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as set forth in claim 22 , further comprising a driving tool structured to fixedly engage with the resorbable outer member to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member about the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and an aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the aperture being sized to accommodate the shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions; and a driving tool structured to fixedly engage with the resorbable outer member to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member about the shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and an aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the aperture being sized to accommodate the shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions; and a driving tool structured to fixedly engage with the resorbable outer member to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member about the shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as set forth in claim 29 , wherein the driving tool includes a protrusion operative to be inserted into an aperture provided in the resorbable outer member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
125 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain. and including a head having a diameter and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and an aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the aperture being sized to accommodate the shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions, wherein the shaft includes a threaded distal portion and a non-threaded proximal portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
125 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain. and including a head having a diameter and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and an aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the aperture being sized to accommodate the shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions, wherein the shaft includes a threaded distal portion and a non-threaded proximal portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device as set forth in claim 31 , wherein the shaft of the resorbable inner member is manufactured of a material that can be cut by a high-temperature wire of a cutting tool, and to resorbable outer member is manufactured of a material that rethreads the threaded shaft after the shaft has been cut.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a threaded shaft extending from the head, the threaded shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and a threaded aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the threaded aperture being sized to accommodate the treaded shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cranial flap fixation device, comprising: a resorbable inner member dimensioned to be placed between a person's skull and brain, and including a head having a diameter and a threaded shaft extending from the head, the threaded shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of the head; and a resorbable outer member dimensioned to be placed over a person's skull, the resorbable outer member including an upper convex surface, a lower concave surface, and a threaded aperture extending from the upper convex surface to the lower concave surface, the threaded aperture being sized to accommodate the treaded shaft of the resorbable inner member therethrough, and the lower concave surface being relatively smooth and devoid of protrusions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cranial flap fixation device as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the lower concave surface is devoid of any threaded collars.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cranial flap fixation device as set forth in claim 33 , wherein a thickness of the resorbable outer member near the threaded aperture does not substantially exceed an average thickness of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cranial flap fixation device as set forth in claim 33 , wherein a thickness of the resorbable outer member, measured adjacent to the treaded aperture between the upper convex surface and the lower concave surface, is not substantially greater than any other thickness of any portion of the resorbable outer member that is not adjacent to the threaded aperture.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as set forth in claim 33 , further comprising a driving tool structured to fixedly engage with the resorbable outer member to facilitate rotation of the resorbable outer member about the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as set forth in claim 37 , wherein the driving tool includes a protrusion operative to be inserted into an aperture provided in the first member of the resorbable outer member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the threaded shaft includes an extended portion substantially devoid of threads.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the threaded shaft of the resorbable inner member is manufactured of a material that can be cut by a high-temperature wire of a cutting tool, and the resorbable outer member is manufactured of a material that rethreads the threaded shaft after the shaft has been cut.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-29 | 2007-12-29 | 2008-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | 2012-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-29 | 2015-12-29 | 2016-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |